International football icons, including Rio Ferdinand and Fabio Capello, took time out from attending the World Football Summit in Hong Kong to enjoy a guided tour of the city’s culinary and cultural highlights.
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The two-day World Football Summit, held for the first time in Hong Kong at the AsiaWorld-Expo, brought together over 4,000 sports industry leaders, legends, investors, and fans.
Prior to the event, the Tourism Board treated the distinguished guests to an afternoon experiencing the city’s famous cuisine and iconic sights.
Anthony Lau, the board’s Executive Director, said Hong Kong demonstrates its increasingly influential role on the global sports scene as an ideal host city for both sports games and MICE events.
“HKTB extended its warm hospitality by thoughtfully arranging immersive tours of Hong Kong for the visiting football legends and Summit guests, enriching their business travel experience.
“We will continue to bring more large-scale international MICE events to Hong Kong, so as to attract more high-yield, overnight MICE visitors to the city,” Lau said.
The group enjoyed traditional Cantonese dim sum, charcoal roasted goose from Yung Kee Restaurant, and took in the breathtaking panoramic views of Victoria Harbour from The Peak via the sixth-generation Peak Tram, and toured the urban landscape on an open-top sightseeing bus.
Former England captain and Manchester United legend Ferdinand shared that previous visits to Hong Kong were primarily for matches, making this cultural excursion a special opportunity.
He had never been to Victoria Peak before and described the experience as “amazing.” Ferdinand also praised the local food, particularly the roasted goose, and expressed a desire to try more local snacks. He humorously hinted he might return to Hong Kong for the Rugby Sevens event in the future.
Meanwhile, he warmly acknowledged the passionate support from local fans, saying, “They really look after and support us. Since they don’t often get the chance to see us, they do go crazy but it’s good and I enjoy it…I’m happy to sign for the fans.”
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Marian Otamendi, CEO of the Summit, visiting Hong Kong for the first time, was deeply impressed by the view from The Peak, calling it a “must-see attraction for visitors coming to Hong Kong.”
Having heard about Hong Kong’s beautiful beaches and mountains, she hopes to bring her family back to explore more of what the city has to offer.
The Summit itself served as a major platform for discussing key issues in football, including Asia’s growing influence, youth development, and digital transformation.
Jan Alessie, Co-Founder of the Summit, highlighted Hong Kong’s potential as a bridge connecting Eastern and Western football markets and for unlocking new opportunities across Asia.
Co-organized by World Football Summit and Asia Partners IFBD Limited—the intellectual property owner of the CR7® brand—and fully supported by the Hong Kong Football Association, the event enjoyed active participation from FIFA and the AFC.
This further solidifies Hong Kong’s rising status as a hub for international major sporting events.
Filipe Gonçalves, a representative of the co-organizer Asia Partners IFBD Limited, emphasized that the summit not only highlights Hong Kong’s international standing in sports, culture, and business but also aims to build a lasting legacy, using football to unite the community and open up global opportunities in Asia.
